To discover:
As you read consider why
God is to be remembered.
To ponder:
More proverbial
sayings are given for navigating the uncertainties of life in which we have
seen trouble could come without warning. First, we must guard against
foolishness (9v17-10v7): Wise whispers are to be listened to more than foolish
shouts. Wisdom is better than weapons in establishing victory, but sinners can
destroy much. Foolishness can ruin the results of wisdom like a dead fly in
perfume. The heart (desires and decisions) of the wise and foolish incline in
opposite directions, and the fool shows how foolish he is even in everyday
things like walking, no doubt as his foolishness pervades how he acts. In the
face of a ruler’s anger, don’t panic and run, but respond calmly. It is an evil
for fools to gain high positions of rule, but the rich have low ones. This
presumes wealth is a result of wisdom and ability. Second, we must be careful
in our work (10v8-10): Just when we consider we have succeeded in our daily
work, disaster can strike. And if we are having to work with faulty tools (even
people) success can still come if we apply ourselves more firmly with skill.
Third, we should watch our speech (10v11-14): Charming those who are like
snakes, may result in us getting bitten and so no benefiting. Wise words are
nevertheless gracious, whereas the fool brings destruction on himself by
multiplying words of foolishness and wicked madness. Fourth, we are to be
responsible (10v15-20): The fool gets board of his work, and so fails to go to
town to get on with it. This implies the wise, by contrast are diligent. Ill qualified
and drunk (feasting in the morning) rulers are a curse to a land, but noble and
sober rulers a blessing. Laziness causes one’s house (or a ruler’s kingdom) to
fall into disrepair, and, no doubt, other aspects of life too. The drunk ruler
thinks money can fix anything. Yet, the rich and ruling should not be cursed,
in case someone hears and reports it, getting us into trouble. Fifth, we are to
take precautions against disaster: Invest well (here in maritime business) and
you will get a return, but spread your investments so that if disaster comes,
some will be protected. Indeed, don’t be paralysed from action by the fact that
disaster may come like rain from the cloud, and cannot be avoided like the
falling tree. We just cannot know what God might do any more than the path of
the wind or how the body is formed. Instead, we must work hard morning and
evening in various labours, as we cannot know which will succeed.
Throughout this section, as the
whole book, we see that even the wise, we might say the Christian, is not
exempt from disasters in life. They are part of God’s purpose. So we should not
be surprised when they come.
11v7-12v8 draws towards the book’s
conclusion with a focus on God: Given such inevitable difficulties we are to
enjoy however many years we have, but remember that there will be many days of
darkness too, making the good times feel rather pointless, no doubt because
what is achieved in them might then be lost. In particular, the young should be
happy, not allowing themselves to worry about the future or be troubled by the
aging process. Instead, they should fulfil the desires of their hearts - but
only so far as they are not sinful, because God will judge them for what they do.
Above all, they should therefore remember their Creator when young, before the
days of trouble in which they will take no pleasure. These are the days of old
age, poetically described as those of darkening eyesight, trembling limbs, lost
teeth, sleeplessness, diminished hearing, fear, grey hair (as the blossoming
almond tree), reduced energy, and faded desire (probably sexual), ending in man
going to his eternal home and being mourned. It’s a call to ensure we remember
God before we die (the silver cord severed), our means of drawing on the waters
of life are shattered, our bodies return to dust, and our spirits return to
God. But for remembering him, this life is meaningless, pointless, as
everything we might have achieved is gone.
The final section is the author’s
reflection on the teacher’s wisdom he has recorded. He affirms its
trustworthiness, noting the teacher was wise, teaching the people with “just
the right words” which were “upright and true.” The author sees such wisdom as
like the stick with nails embedded in it (goad) shepherds used to drive their
sheep. In other words, it is needed to guide us in good and safe paths. And we
are warned to add nothing to this wisdom (12v9-12). It is astonishing in the
light of this commendation that some claim the author is critical of the
teacher’s words. On the contrary, they are essential for us.
The conclusion notes that despite
innumerable books and intensive and wearisome study, the main thing we need to
know in life is simple (12v12-14). It is to “fear God and keep his
commandments.” Everything God requires of human beings is summed up in this.
And we should do it knowing that he will judge everything we do, whether seen
or hidden, good or evil. In the context of the book this really is the only
point to life. Everything else can be lost in a moment, and will certainly be
lost in death. But those who fear God and so live in faith and love before him
have acted wisely, preparing for the day when they will face him. Jesus makes just
this point in various parables (Lk 16v1-15, 19-31). Our lives could be ended at
any time, so it is foolish to store up wealth without being rich to God (Lk
12v13-21).
Praying it
home:
Praise God for reminding
you of this perspective. Pray that you would prioritise the fear of him.
Thinking
further:
None
today.
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